MLB Player News

Arenado (chest) is not in the Diamondbacks' starting lineup against the Red Sox on Monday.

Manager Torey Lovullo said that an MRI showed a "small signal" in Arenado's left intercostal, per Jody Jackson of DBacks.tv. However, Arenado will be available off the bench Monday, and the expecation is that he will avoid the injured list. Jose Fernandez -- who was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Monday after Ketel Marte (not injury related) was placed on the restricted list -- will start at third base and bat seventh.

Loftin is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Athletics.

Loftin will head to the bench after he started each of the last nine games while going just 4-for-31 (.129 average) with one stolen base, two runs and no RBI. With Maikel Garcia (hand) returning from the injured list Monday, Loftin's time as the Royals' primary third baseman is over, and he'll presumably be ticketed for a utility role.

The Royals optioned Rojas to Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

Rojas will give up his spot on the active roster to infielder Maikel Garcia (hand), who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list. Recalled from Triple-A when Garcia initially landed on the shelf June 23, Rojas appeared in 28 games during his latest stint in the majors, slashing .225/.257/.310 with one home run, one steal, seven RBI and five runs.

Baty is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Padres.

Though he'll take a seat against righty Walker Buehler in the series opener, Baty has maintained a strong-side platoon role for much of August. Baty doesn't have a home at any one position, but his ability to play multiple spots on the diamond and in the outfield had helped him pick up starts in each of the Mets' previous eight matchups with righties.

Yorke will start at third base and bat eighth in Monday's game against the Tigers.

Yorke will be awarded a second straight start at the hot corner after he shined in Sunday's 8-3 win over the Red Sox upon being called from Triple-A Indianapolis earlier in the day. While batting out of the No. 7 spot, Yorke went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and three RBI. Yorke will likely handle a utility role while he's up with the Pirates and should get most of his playing time against left-handed pitching.

The Royals reinstated Garcia (hand) from the 10-day injured list Monday. He'll start at third base and bat cleanup in the team's series opener versus the Athletics.

Kansas City will get two major lineup pieces back ahead of its four-game series versus the Athletics, as first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (wrist) was also activated from the IL. Garcia had been on the shelf since June 22 due to a muscle strain his left hand, with his return getting pushed back further after he experienced renewed discomfort following his first rehab game July 28. He then underwent a cortisone shot that appears to have yielded the desired effect, as Garcia resumed his rehab assignment at Double-A Northwest Arkansas last week and went 4-for-10 with a double, three walks and a stolen base over three games. Garcia is expected to step back in as the Royals' primary option at the hot corner, resulting in Nick Loftin shifting into more of a utility role.

Gonzales (face) will start at second base and bat cleanup in Monday's game against the Tigers.

The Pirates kept Gonzales out of the lineup for the final two games of their weekend series with the Red Sox after he exited Friday's 8-4 win due to a facial contusion, which he sustained when he was hit in the helmet by a pitch. The 27-year-old appears to be feeling better after a couple of days of rest and shift over from his usual spot at third base to cover the keystone in place of Brandon Lowe, who will serve as the Pirates' designated hitter Monday.

Bichette went 3-for-3 with a walk and a triple in Sunday's win over the Nationals.

The former Blue Jay continues to surge as he's grown more comfortable in his new jersey. Bichette sat with a .583 OPS at the end of May; since then, he's produced an .808 mark, and he's found another gear in August with a .345/.410/.545 slash line, along with two homers, seven runs and nine RBI in 14 contests.

Kennedy went 1-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 13-7 loss to the Rockies.

Kennedy singled in the second inning before coming around to score, and he also drew a bases-loaded walk in the fifth. Since being claimed off waivers Aug. 2, the 27-year-old has gone 2-for-16 with two runs scored and an RBI across 19 plate appearances. Over 20 games between the Mariners and Giants this season, Kennedy is slashing .091/.211/.121 with four runs scored and an RBI across 38 plate appearances.

Vargas went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 7-5 win over the Tigers.

Vargas extended Chicago's late lead by launching a solo homer in the ninth inning, giving him 28 long balls on the season. The infielder has caught fire at the plate, going 7-for-22 (.318) with four home runs and two doubles over his last five games. Through 121 contests this season, Vargas owns a .239 average and .835 OPS with 28 homers, 28 doubles, one triple, 72 RBI, 83 runs scored and 12 stolen bases.